India–Tanzania trade crosses $9 bn as bilateral economic ties deepen

India and Tanzania have reinforced their commitment to expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation, with total trade between the two countries surpassing the $9 billion mark in 2025–26, underscoring growing economic synergy between the two partners.The milestone was highlighted during the 5th session of the India–Tanzania Joint Trade Committee (JTC), held in Dar es Salaam on April 29–30. The meeting marked the first such engagement since 2017, providing an opportunity for both sides to review progress and chart new avenues for collaboration across key sectors.
Co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary Samwel William Shelukindo, the committee noted that bilateral trade rose to $9.02 billion in 2025–26 from $8.64 billion in the previous fiscal year. Officials emphasised the need to strengthen trade mechanisms, including exploring local currency settlements, easing long-term visa procedures for businesspersons, and addressing market access challenges such as tariffs and regulatory barriers.
Discussions spanned a wide range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, mining, agriculture, education, and digital cooperation. India reiterated its support in capacity building, skill development, and regulatory collaboration, while also highlighting opportunities in gemstone value addition and geological exploration.The role of IIT Madras Zanzibar as an emerging hub for science and technology education was also acknowledged during the talks, reflecting deepening academic and technological ties.
Digital collaboration emerged as a key pillar of the partnership, with both countries reviewing progress under existing agreements and exploring further cooperation in digital public infrastructure. Areas of focus included India Stack, real-time payment systems, and DigiLocker, alongside regulatory alignment to enhance e-commerce and cross-border trade efficiency.
India’s development partnership with Tanzania was also highlighted, particularly through Lines of Credit exceeding $1.1 billion for water infrastructure projects,according to information. These initiatives are expected to benefit more than 6 million people across 24 towns, reinforcing India’s role in supporting Tanzania’s socio-economic development.Energy cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides exploring opportunities in renewable energy, natural gas, and hybrid power solutions. Collaboration in shipbuilding, port development, and railway modernisation was also identified as a priority area.
Healthcare cooperation received significant attention, with both countries discussing expansion of telemedicine services, oncology partnerships, and joint research on diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. In agriculture, talks focused on technology transfer, agro-processing, micro-irrigation, and trade in pulses, along with cooperation in dairy and livestock sectors.The meeting also saw active participation from industry stakeholders, with a delegation led by the Confederation of Indian Industry attending a joint business forum on the sidelines. Business leaders from both countries highlighted growing private sector engagement and the potential to further enhance trade and investment flows.
The meeting saw both sides agree to strengthen institutional mechanisms and accelerate the implementation of ongoing initiatives. The next session of the Joint Trade Committee is set to take place in New Delhi on mutually agreed dates, signalling continued momentum in India–Tanzania economic relations,according to information.

(Business Correspondent)